A retrofit to existing automobile shocks that would include sensors that would sense a sudden expansion of the shock pistons caused by going over small hills, railroad trestles, etc. The sensor would be connected to the sound system inside the car.

Just as when we were kids, when the car goes over
the small hill or undulation, the system emits a big "WHEEEEEE!" to elicit feelings of joy and whimsy to the ride. For those drivers and passengers that wish not to be bothered with the audio cue, a "WHEEEE!" indicator would light on the dashboard if the sound was muted. The icon would be a seated person raising hands and legs.

This is a great idea. I'd also like to have it say "Can we do that again?" when you come to a full stop (if there has been at least 1 "whee!" since the last stop). It should sigh with contentment when you put the car in park.

If the system could be integrated with Northstar and other GPS navigation systems, it could be programmed to say "Go faster!" as you approach particularly fun bumps on routes that you've taken before.

In fact, there should be a database of popular "Whee!" sites, so that you could be advised of fun spots as you approach them, or you could even plan a Saturday day trip to a "Whee!" site in your area. You could plan or alter routes to frequent destinations to include as many "Whee!" sites as possible. Another advantage is that you could be warned to secure your coffee and croissant (of course) before you actually hit the "Whee!" bump.

I'd like to see a similar feature that would bring back my childhood: A simple device that detects whether you're going up or down a hill, and the riders hear "uuuuuuuuuup!" or "doooooooooown!" (the word "up" increases in pitch and has to continue until the top of the hill is reached; likewise for "down," but with decreasing pitch).

When I was quite young I'd always wonder if the driver were insane or something, as our car approached the top of a hill. Since I couldn't see the road past the top of the hill, it always seemed kind of reckless to me to just drive right over the top without even slowing down.

[friendlyfire] - speaking of cattle - if the car's going to make all these noises for us, then obviously we will need a device somewhere else (not part of the shocks) which says "MOOOOOOOOOO" whenever cows are visible.